Education Alumna Shaping Future Teachers is Honored with Prestigious Award

Before Nancy Chavira became an inspiring fifth-grade teacher and dedicated mentor to future educators, she was an enthusiastic student in the College of Education. With a goal to inspire a love for learning in her students, Chavira pursued her degree with commitment. Now, her hard work and dedication have earned her national recognition, making her a beacon of excellence in education.

Chavira recently received the prestigious Milken Educator Award, the national honor that recognizes outstanding educators with exceptional career trajectories. This highly esteemed honor places her among a national network of awarded educators and makes her the first recipient of the Milken Educator Award in Fabens Independent School District history.

“We are beyond proud of Ms. Nancy Chavira for being recognized with the prestigious Milken Educator Award,” said Fabens ISD Superintendent Rogelio Segovia, Ph.D. “Her dedication to her students, her leadership in the classroom, and her commitment to excellence reflect the very heart of who we are as a district. This honor is well-deserved, and we celebrate her as a shining example of the incredible talent within Fabens ISD.”

Chavira credits UTEP’s College of Education for combining coursework, hands-on experiences, and mentorship to prepare her for the realities of teaching.

“My experience at UTEP laid the foundation for everything I do as an educator now. The program’s mix of theory and practical, real-world teaching strategies helped me transition from student to teacher confidently,” said Chavira. “The faculty’s unwavering support inspired me to shape my own teaching methods and the College of Education emphasized the importance of connecting with students to create a positive classroom environment, which I carry with me every day.”

After earning her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with an EC-6 Bilingual Generalist certification in 2015, Chavira launched her career as a fourth-grade teacher at Johanna O’Donnell Intermediate School in Fabens ISD. She quickly rose to teach fifth-grade math and science, where she leads a 50/50 bilingual model classroom. In this model, Chavira teaches in Spanish while her teaching partner delivers the content in English, ensuring all students fully grasp the material.

An innovative educator dedicated to fostering student success, Chavira became the first teacher in Fabens ISD to earn a Master Teacher Designation from the Texas Education Agency, an honor reserved for exceptional educators. Motivated by her accolades, Chavira continues to focus on nurturing her students’ academic growth and creating meaningful learning environments.

“To be acknowledged for doing something that I love is a great honor,” Chavira said. “It reminds me how important it is to make a positive impact on students’ lives and motivates me to continue to shape the future.”

Alongside being a pillar of her school district, Chavira continues to uplift future educators. As a mentor to UTEP students in their teaching residency, she welcomes aspiring teachers into her fifth-grade classroom, guiding them from lesson planning to leading their own classes.

“Mentoring future educators is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career,” said Chavira. “It’s fulfilling to see students starting their journey and be part of their growth as educators.”

Her mentorship goes beyond the basic teaching skills. Chavira models classroom management strategies, demonstrates how to build student engagement, and encourages her mentees to develop their individual teaching styles. She supports them through challenges, helping them adapt and discover what strategies works best for their own classrooms.

“The impact of UTEP is evident in everything I do,” said Chavira. “I carry those lessons with me as I continue my journey through education.”